Automatic land leveler and grader



A rriys July 28, 1925." .v

l. E. PATTERSON ET AL` f fjAQ'ImIATIc LAND LEVELER AND GRADER J. E. PATTERSON ET AL.

AUTOMATIC LAND LEVEER- AND GRDER Filed May 23. 1922 4 SheetsSheet 2 ATTYS.

July 2s, 1925.

J. E. PATTERSON ET AL AUOMAIIC' LAND LEVELER AND GRADER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 23, 1922 Mig July 2s, 1925.

J. E. PATTERSON ET AL AUTOMAT;C LANDl LEVELER ANDVGRADER Filed May 2s. 1922 l4 sneetsQsheet 4 @y rrfrs.

Patented July 28, 1925.

JULn'IsE. PATTERSON'MID'FELIX n.nunim or irLAMnTHrALLsgoREGoN, AssIGNoRs,

PATENT `1 erinnerte Assreiivinnfrs, Tennant-PATTERSON oMPANn'A CORPORATION "or OREGON.

AUToMA'rIo LAND'LEVELER AND catalina.y

Application sied' May 23, reza Aseiialu No. 563,619.

Tqall ca /0111, t muy concern:

Be it known that we, JULIUSE. PATfrnnson` 'and FELiXgE DUNN, l( xitizensiaf the United States, residing` at Klamath Falls, in the county of Klamathand State of Oregon, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Land Levelers yand Graders, of which the following is a speciiication.

This inventionrelates to improvements in apparatus forleveling and gradingindustrial and agricultural land, roadways, and thelike and resides in lthe provision of apparatus by means of which' such opera-- tions may be more economically, effectively and'ezqoeditiously carried out.

An object of the invention is to provide vehicular apparatus of theharacten described which during 'the 'continuous progress thereof and at the will of'theoperator, by manipulation of a single controlelement, theapparatus may be causedto'jpickup or scoop, to convey and to' dump dirt or other material.. .1 .i

Another object ofthe invention is to provide apparatus of the character described wherein the scoop forming apart of the invention may be,V at vvill,lnioved intoand maintained in any one of'its various positions by an easy Inanipulationof a single control; element during' and .without nterruptingtheprogress of the vehicle forming apart ofthe apparatus.

A vfurther object is to provide yin apparatus of the character described means with which the depth of the s cooping action may he regulated as desired and the dumping operation may -lilrewiseloe regulated so that eithera gradualdumping or quick dumping action Amay be effected. l

Another object is to, generally improve andsimplify the construction yand operation, reduce thecost of Vmanufactu re and render more generally useful grading and leveling appaiiatusl ofthe type described. .i 'furtherobject is to provideapparatus of the characterdescribed in, which the parts Vand elements of the apparatus will be autoinatically returned ,t o normal position.

Another object is toprovide in apparatus of' the character described automatic and semi-antematic control and operating. mechansm .Whisk Will facilitate the Work 0f. scooping, conveying and dumping dirt or other material particularly inf that it will simplify and render more eflicacious the operation ofthe apparatus.

The invention'possesses other advantages and features some of which; withthe fore-- going will .be set Vforth atlength in 4the fol#` lowing description where we shall outline in full that form of the-'invention which we haver selected for illustration in the draw' ings accompanying `and forming apart of the present specification. In said ydrawings we have sho-wn one form of the construction ofour invention,A but itis to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to'such formV since the invention as 'expressed' in the claims may be embodiedv in a plurality of rorms.

Referring tothe drawings:

Fig. represents a top lplan view of the apparatus'of' our invention.; lFig. 2 representsa llongitudinalsectional view showingthe mechanismin side elevation infull linesy asv` after a dumping operation. f Fig. 3 represents a view. Ain 'elevation of the clutch mechanism,

li represents aside elevationpartly Vin section of the clutch mechanism, showing part of the in ainbperating' inechanism.

Fig. 5f represents a sectional view of adetail of eonstructiori'inthe main operating rmechanism which isfshownin elevation' at the lefthandsidein Fig.'A t.

Fig. .6 represents across sectional view througli'the tongue'of the vehicle showing manner of mounting the slide member Fig. 7 "represents a, semi-diagrammatic view of the apparatus as when in position for scooping or loading.

Fig. 8 represents a. semi-diagrammatic view showing the mechanism when the scoop is in dumping position.

Referring to `the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the -accompanying Idrawing si l designates a framecarrying an axle 2 upon which vehicle wheels B'are loosely mounted. 'These wheels are. adapted to be loclred so as to rotate the axlethrough the use of clutch mechanisms l and 5, which mechanisms will be later more fully @descrihed. A tongue '6 'extends forwardly from one end of the frame 4and is adapted for connection with a tractor. not shown.

When the apparatus of my invention is to be horse drawn, the tongue or frame may be associated with an additional wheel-ed truclr, which latter, it is not thought necessary to illustrate. At the rear of the frame a driversl or operators seat 7 is mounted in any suitable manner.

Supported from the Vaxle 2 is a scoop or pan 8 such as is ordinarily employed in graders and land levelers, said scoop com-- prising a bottom wall 9, rear wall 10 and side walls 11, arranged whereby the front end and upper side of the scoop are open. Rigidly fixed to the side walls 11 and curving upwardly and rearwardly therefrom are slotted plates 12 in which certain edges of rthe slots are provided with teeth so as to serve as racks 13. The axle 2 Vextends through` the slots in the plates and has mounted thereon pinions 14k which mesh with the racks 13. The hub portions 15 of the pinions are engaged by flanges 16 provided on the plates 12. The pinions are keyed as at 17 to the shaft and are either integral with or rigidly carried by a combined pulley and detent wheel members 18. Each of these members 18 is constructed so as to provide a pulley 19 joined with a detent wheel portion 20, there being a detent recess or notch 21 formed in the periphery of the portion 20. By this arrangement it will be seen that when the clutches l and 5 are operated to lock the vehicle wheels to the axle, the axle will be rotated and the pinions 14; will rotate in such'manner as to cause the racks to be moved forwardly and downwardly (due to the curve of the racks) whereby the scoop 8 will be moved into sccoping or loading position. rlhe extent of downward movement ofthe panmay be regulated as desired and the depth of the scoopf ing operation maybe likewise controlled, both, as will later be more fully described.

To provide for moving of the scoop so that the load may be dumped, means is employed for automatically locking the'detent wheels 2O with theplates 12, after a scoop ing or loading operation has been completed, whereby the'scoop willbe moved upwardly and rearwardly into dumping position due to the locking of the teeth of the pinions with the teeth of the rack. lThis may be carried out without interrupting the prog r-ess of the vehicle and may be effected at the will of the operator. rlhe means aboveV described may comprise as shown, detent members 22 pivojted intermediate of their ends as at 23, to the plates 12, in such maner that the lower ends of the detent members, which ends are bent right angularly at 24 may be caused to extend into the notches 21 in the detentwheels 20. Re tractile springs 25 are attached at certain ends as at to the side walls 11 of the scoop and at their other ends are connected as at 27. with the detent members 22, at points on the latter such that the ends 24 of the detents will at all times be urged to` A wards the peripheries of the detent wheels 20. Pivoted to the frame 1 as at 28 are trip members 29 which are adapted to resty upon movement of the scoop into position shown in Fig. 2, theyy willengage the rear sides of the detent members so as to hold the detent members free from engagement with the notches 21 and permit of movement of the scoop downwardly relative to the axle instead of arcuately and bodily and with the axle. rl`his movement of the .scoop will cause the detent members to move downwardly so that their lower ends will move past the trip members and the springs 25 will then move the detents so that the ends 24 will engage with the peripheries of the detent wheels 20 and thereby be inposition to extend into the notches when the latter are mov ed into proper position. The movement of thenotches into proper position to receive the detent members will take place immediately when, after a loading or scoop! ing operation, the pan is lifted into normal position clear of the ground as shown in Fig. 2. At this time the trips 29 will not interfere with the holding action of the detent members 22 and as the vehicle continues in its movement the operator may, at will, manipulate the clutches l and 5 so as to turn Ythe axle 2 and cause movement of the scoop such that it will dump its load. y

There is provided a single operating element in the form of a pedal or lever, the manipulation of which, to actuate Vthe clutches, will permit of the operation of the pan to scoop, convey and dump material asY desired without arresting the progress of the vehicle in any manner, this may comprise a lever 31 which is fixed at its lower end to a shaft 82 which shaft extends transversely of and is journaled in suitable bearings 33 on the frame 1. At a point interme diate of its ends the lever has a foot piece or treadle 34E attached thereto so that it may be operated as a pedal, but said lever extends above the foot piece so that it may be manipulated as a hand lever also, if desired. Fixed to anddepending from the shaft 32 are arms 34 to which are connected rods 35 leading to the clutches d and 5. Each clutch is identical as to construction and includes a shaft carried actuating means generally designated 36, operating the clutch elements proper. The shaft earricd actuating means comprises a toothed collar 37 Vfixed to the frame 1 and through which the axle' loosely extends. The teeth on the collar are disposed on the outer side face thereof and are adapted to cooperate with similar teeth 38 on a similar collar 39. The collar 39 is loosely mounted on the axle 2 and is provided with a rigid depending arm 40, the lower end of which is pivoted to one of the rods 35. 1

The rotatable collar 39 is provided upon its outer side face with a cam surface 41 against which a roller 42 is adapted to engage. The roller 42 is mounted upon and extends at right angles to a circular disc 43, which latter is loosely mounted upon the axle 2 and is adapted to be moved longitudinally on the axle. The disc is preferably concave on its inner side and adjacent its outer periphery carries a band of friction material 44 which is adapted to bear upon a clutch drum 45 fixed to the hub of the adj acent vehicle wheel. Keyed to the axle 2 as at 46, is an arm 47 to the outer end of which certain ends of clutch ring segments 48 and 49 are pivoted. These members are adapted to engage the inner face yof the flange 50 of the drum 45 and by frictiona-l engagement, lock with said drum such that the rotation of the vehicle wheels will cause the axle 2y to be rotated. The other ends of the segments 48 and 49 are inwardly offset and the f mally the drums 50 rotate with the wheels` without imparting rotary movement to the axle. When the lever 31 is moved forwardly a pull is communicated to the rods 35 such that the collars 39 will be turned on the axle 2 and due to the arrangement of the teeth on the collars 37 and 39, the collars 39 will move longitudinally towards the rollers 42 as well as be given a rotary movement in the direction of travel of the vehicle. This will dispose the cam surface 41 such that the rollers 42 will be forced inwardly and will cause the disc 43 to press against the drum-45. The frictional engagement of the hand 44 with the drum 45 willv cause the disc 43 to turn slightly relative to the axle and due to such rotation the toggle lever 52 will be rocked and will cause the clutch ring segments 48 and 49 to frictionally engage with the flange 50 of the clutch drumf45.

This will through the segments 48 and 49 and the arm 47 transmit rotation to the axle 2. Upon rotation of the axle, the scoop operating mechanism previously described will be actuated.r The clutches do not, however, remain clutched but will,

declutch after predetermined rotation `of the vehicle wheels, unless the clutch lever is given further operative movement and th(` -the. clutch mechanisms will be declutched.

The clutch mechanisms are, therefore, considered as progressive, since the maintaining of the clutches in clutched position such that rotation will be imparted to the axle, is `dependent upon movement of the lever 31 and collars 39. This operation will be later more fully described.

There is provided means for returning :the scoopand associated mechanism to normal position after the. dumping operation and upon declutching the clutches, which means is automatic in its operation and will hereinafter be described. A slide member 57 operates between spaced bars 58 constituting the tongue 6. 'lhe slide is provided with flanges 59 and 60I to engage the upper and lower edges of the bars 58 respectively, to holdl the slide in place. From the flanges 60 the Aslide extends downwardly, .providing ears 61 extending thro-ugh which is a pin 62.V Mounted upon the projecting' endsof the pin and held in place by Cotter pins 63 are eyes 64 on the outer ends of draw bars 65. The other ends o-f the draw bars are pivoted as at 66 to the sides 11 of the scoop adjacent the forward end of the scoop. Mounted in a slotted vplate 67 fastened to the to-ngue in front of the slide member is a pin 68 to opposite ends of which pin are attached ears 69. To the ears are secured certa-in ends of heavy retractile springs 70. To the other ends of the springs 70, cables 71 are attached and said cables at securedto and adapted to be wound upon the pulley members 19. The slidemember is adapted to enga-gcthe ears 69 just before completing its forward movement, for the purpose of cushioning the movement thereof when the parts are returned to normal positionso as to avoid slamming of the parts.

There is provided means for locking and releasing the slide member, depending upon theposition of the scoop 8, which means will release the slide member when the scoop is to be moved but lock it when the scoop is disposed in a scooping or loading position. As shown, this means may coinprise a locking member 72 which is pivoted as at 73 at one end to a suit-able mounting 74 on the tongue 6. The other end of the locking member is adapted to engage a lock-Y ing shoulder 7 5 provided on thel upper side of the slide member 57. VThe movement of the locking member is automatically controlled by a plunger-76 slidably mounted in' a sleeve 77 supported by the tongue 6. One end of the plunger engages under the lock` ing member and the other end is provided with an enlarged rounded head 78 which head isfadapted to be engaged by an abut.

vment member 79, supported by the draw bars 65. Vifhen the. scoop is in normal or loaded position. as shown in lf ig. 2, the abutment 7 9 engages the head 78 of the plunger 76 and holds the plungerin such engagement with the locking member 72 that the latter is held clear of .the shoulder on the slide 57. However, when the scoop 8 is lowered into scooping or loading position, the bars 65 are likewise lowered and the abutment member moves away from the plunger so that the plunger recedes andr allows the locking member to move into locking position. This locks the slide member against inward sliding movement and through the draw bars G5 prevents rearward or upward movement of the scoop..

when the latter is in scooping or loading position.

rhere may be provided a guard and tra-p member 8O attached to each side wall 11 of the scoop 8 and arranged so as to protect the pinions 14 and racks 13 against having dirt accumulating or being thrown thereon. These members are provided with outlet openings 81 arranged so that any dirt co-llect thereon will discharge along the outer sides of Athe scoop.

Operation( Assuming that the machine is ready for o-peration and the parts are arranged as shown in Fig. 2, (full lines) with the scoop in lifted position and empty, the vehicle is moved in the desired direction across the surface of the ground to be treated. 1n order to scoop up the ground or material to be loaded into the scoo) the ooerator b .Jressinfo a l a on the treadle 34 or otherwise moving the lever 31 forwardly, communicates a pull to the rods 35 and rotates the collars 39 so that the collars are shifted arcuately and are moved bodily outwardly at the same time. This will canse the cam surfaces 41 to press upon the rollers 42 and transmit an outwardly actuating pressure to the discs 43. When the discs 43 are forced against the drums 45 the frictional engagement between these parts causes the discs to be turned relative to the axle and the treadle levers 52 to beI rocked so as to cause the segments 4S and 49 to Vlock with the clutch drums 45. Since the clutch segments are fastened to the arm,

rar/1,818

shown in full lines in Fig. 2, are free of holding position with relation to the detent wheels 2O,u rotation ofthe axlel will cause the pinions 14 to actuate the racks 13 such that the scoop 3 will be lowered downwardly and forwardly (due to the shape of the racks) until the forward edge of the scoop is in position shown in Fig. 7, vand will have a tendency to scoop up theground or other material.4 ly'holding the clutch lever 31 in a fixed position the downward movement of the scoop will cease and be maintained coincident with the cessation of the forward movement of the clutch member but the ar-A degree of the extensions of the forward edge thereof into Ythe material o r ground may be varied as desired by continuing orfstopping the forward movement of the clutch lever. When the scoop lowers into scoop-ing position the plunger 7 6 is lowered and permits the locking member 7 2 to engage and lock the slide 57. rlhis locking of the slide will prevent movement of the draw bar 65 and will hold the scoop 8 against backward and upward movement.

After the scoop 8 has been moved sufficiently to become loaded, the operator releases the clutch and the spring 70 which have been expanded, due to the winding of the cable 71 upon the pulleys 19, will contact with suiiicient force to rotate the members 18 and pinions thereon in the reverse direction. This will operate through the racks 13v so as to lift the loaded scoop into position shown in Fig. 2, clear of the ground. YMovement of the scoop into up position lifts the draw bars such that the way the trips 29 doV not interfere with the movement of the ends of the detent members into the notches 21 and this movement into the Vnotches takes lplace automatically, due to 'the action of the springs 25, when the scoop is lifted into up position.

Y The load, thus held in they scoop,may be carried forwardly to the desired place or dumped immediately as desired, depending upony thegrading or leveling operation to be carried out. `When the operator desires to dump the load the clutch lever is pushed forwardly so as to cause the clutches to lock the wheels to the axle andthe axle to rotate. Since the detent members hold the plates 12 against movement relative to the lijd) axle fatthis ftimefsaid memherslilwvithfthe scoop'supportedathereby, are'l moved loodilyf 1n. such manner` that the back of thefjscoop-i .is moved upwardly in antarcuatepath and 5 the load of material; Willildrop ytrom lthe scoop through the open frontend thereof.

' .This ymovement or the scoopmay bevaried Vin order? that the vload .may be dropped i :gradually Vor dumped quickly; by Vvarying the forward movement fof the lever Likewise-'the 'scoopniay:he` held in position i@to `graduallyorfreely dump its-load.f'by

lholding the-leverlin a. certainposition.`

v v IThe reason. for-.this action Will bev apparent` 115 since when afterv a shiftingof .ther` collars.

i V39 to Vdisposey the `cam surface 41-in a cer- -tain positionifandA to K`el'ect' ay clutching. of

fx-tliezclutch mechanisms, as. the vehiolecon-f l tinuesin Vits travehthesrollers 421thnou`gh 20:w'hi'ch the actuatingfpressure;'from theucol "lars is transmittedi vareficarriedn vwith fthe i Wheels. in the'idirectionoflthev decreasing surface of the ca'm. -ELWlien thev actuating.l

= pressure is relieved;y the rollers f 42 move rel- E26vative'tothe cam surfacesin this1.`manner t l .until the' rictio'nal engagement off Ythe discs '-43' With the drums `tsis 4reducedtoyisuch .extent 4that no rotary movement W'illloe im l "parted the -discs 43.: *Uponacessationpy-foti 30; movement ofthe disc arthe clutchinglforce 3" .mechanisms is such,l however,-thatsuflioient-l f resistance is' set "up to holdf'the scoop; in aposition to'which ithas been moved, aspreviouslyzdescribed. :E It follows therefore;v that Vin -order l' to -provide for'l continuous l. molve- 4Q; amont i of A the scoop, either? when movingit into scoopmgzposition or 'into dumping pfosif tion, it isnecessary 'that the scoop le'verand coll'ars'39 he moved continuously duringy the time of' the 'desireducontinuous' 'movement` 1 45 of .the scoop. f Otherwise the actuating pres-i f sure yimparted from `the shiftahleicollars f through the rollers'toithe. discslt, Would vnot 'he maintained yloecause the rollers`i42 a `move a-ivayfrom the pressureeflecting por 50S tions` of the cam surfaces Withthe travel of i the vehicle nvheels.

`When the loadhas .been dumpedas. del

sired, hy releasing4 the clutch pedal and-{ de-` v olutchingthe clutch'mechanismS,fthe springs "5 '70.Which have againgbeen 'stretchedgjwillcontract fandthrofu'gh the` .pulley -71f-{actuate` the mechanism@ loyl reversing the; movement of the axlel 'in such :manneny thatf the scoop y with other lp arts Will 'bef returned-to. .normal position as fshowniin Fig'QQ. 4)Asgqtheyscoop and otherparts areqreturned to normal posicomprising a frame, Wheels. supporting 'the tionthe slide .member 57.,.Will contact vvith the pin 68 to which:thesprings'` YOQareattached-insuclnlmannerithat-beforegthe' end 5. of the movement of l:the slide :,memben ,1 the ispringsvlvill belstretched and cushion the shocl--`or which might/loe occasioned otherwise.

i .illVe claim:

1L Land leveling and l grading apparatus :comprising a frame, vWheelssupporting the frame, lan axle .rotatable in the frame and .upon .Which the Wheels are loosely mounted, clutch mechanisms for locking the Wheels to and causing rotation of the axle, means for operating the clutch m`eans,` a scoop and meansooperative 'connection -loetvve'en the scoop and axlej providing for-movement oi the scoop -intoscooping, load .conveying and iload* dumping; positions yvhen f the clutches are operated to cause rotation of the axle.

f2. Landleveli-ng andgrading apparatus comprising a frame, Wheels supporting. the

frame, an axle rotatahleyinfthe frame and upon vvhichsa'id Wheelsiareflooselymounted, a ,scoopmovable With relationto the frame into f-'slcooping, loadconveying and load dumping positions, clutch meansfor locking the Wheelsto theiaxleand causing rotation of k the 1 axle, means' for operating. l the clutchy v means,-means Which When the scoop is main- ,tainedin: position'clearof the vgroundvvvill lautomatically move the scoop into s cooping .position When the axle is. rotated, means which upon cessation of rotation of the axle Will automaticallyilift the scoop into load conveyingpos'ition'and means which after said movement "ofthe scoop 'into load conveying positionandtheaxle is again rotated Willautomatically move the scoop into position, to' dump the load therefrom.

3. Land leveling and grading apparatus comprisinga'fran'ie, Wheels supporting the Vframe, an 'axle' rotatable in theV framev and yupon Whichsfaidvvheels are loosely mounted,`

afscoopmovahle With relation l to the' frame 'into scooping, load conveyingk and' load Y dumping-positions; :clutch means for locking 'the'f Wheels tothe axlefand' causing rotation of the axlef'means for operating 'the clutch means, meanswhich When the scoop is maintained in position clear of the ground Will automatically move the scoop into scooping .position` When theaxleA is rotated, 'means which when the clutch is detached will automatically lift the scoop `into load conveying v'tion Will: upon release-zot theclutch mecha- 'fnisms E automatically move fthe scoop into normal position clear of the ground.

l.,ALand-fleveling and grading apparatus Ar'am'agan .axle rotatable; in the frame and upon which sai-d Wheelsare loosely mounted, -v-clu'toh means for locking thejfvvheels to andv lll5 rotating the axle a scoop operatively associated with the axle and adapted to be moved from a position clear of the ground into scooping position, then into load conveying position and then into dumping position, a rack carried by the scoop, a pinion fixed to the axle and engaging the rack, said rack and scoop being normally movable with relation to the axle and means operating automatically when the scoop is moved from normal position into scooping position for locking the rack and scoop against movement relative to and causing movement of the scoop With the axle whereby the scoop Will be tilted and the load therein Will be dumped.

5. Land leveling and grading apparatus comprising a frame, an axle rotatable on the frame, Wheels rotatable on the axle, clutch means for locking said Wheels to and causing rotation of the axle, a scoop and means Which When the Wheels are continuously moved andthe clutch is operated to lock the lWheels With the axle Will cause the scoop to be moved into scooping position, meansv the scoop into dumping postion will auto-V matically move the scoop into position clear of the ground.

6. Land leveling and grading apparatus comprising a frame, an axle rotatable on the frame, Wheels supporting said axle and ron tatable thereon, clutch means for locking said Wheels to and causing rotation of the axle upon movement of the Wheels, a scoop,

a rack bar on the scoop, a pinion fixed to thev axle and engaging the rack bar, means Which after movement of the scoop into scooping position and upon release of the clutch mechanisms Will automatically lift the scoop clear of the scooping position and into load conveying position and means Which after move ment of the scoop into load conveying posi'- tion and upon locking of the Wheels With the axle will automatically tilt the scoop so that the load Will be dumped when the axle is rotated.

7. In land leveling and grading apparatus comprising a frame, an axle rotatable upon the frame, Wheels supporting said axle and rotatable freely thereon, a scoop operatively associated With the frame and axle, means which when the axle is turned Will move the scoop into scooping, conveying and unloading positions and means for controlling the operation of said last named means comprising a collar fixed to the frame and surrounding the axle, another collar loosely surrounding the axle, said collars having cam surfaces on opposite faces engaging with one another, means adapted to be actuated by the operator of the apparatus for turning the loosely mounted collar and causing it to be shifted longitudinally on the axle, a clutch drum fixed to the Wheel and loosely surrounding the axle, a clutch member fixed to the axle and adapted to be moved into and out of frictional engagement with the clutch drum, a friction member on the axle and adapted to be moved into and out of frictional engagement With the drum, means carried byY the frictional member arranged to be engaged by the said loosely mounted collar when the latter is shifted longitudinally to force the friction' member into frictional engagement With the drum and means which upon engagement of said friction member With the drum `Will move the second named clutch member in frictional engagement With said drum.

8. In land leveling and grading apparatus comprising a frame, an axle rotatable upon the frame, Wheels supporting said axle and rotatable freely thereon, a scoop operatively associated with the frame and axle, means Which when the axle is turned will move the scoop into scooping, conveying and unload* ing positions and means for controlling the operation of said'last named means comprising a collar fixed to the frame and surrounding the axle, another collar loosely surrounding the axle, said collars having cam surfaces on opposite faces engaging with one another, means adapted to be actuated by the operato-r of the apparatus for turning the loosely mounted collar and `causing it to be shifted longitudinally on the axle, a clutchV drum fixed to the Wheel and loosely surrounding the axle, a clutch member fixed to the axle and adapted to be moved into and out of frictional engagement with the clutch drum, a friction mem` ber on the axle and adapted to be moved into and out of frictional engagement with the drum, means carried by the friction member arranged to be engaged -by the said loosely mounted collar when the latter is shifted longitudinally to force the friction member into frictional engagement with the drum and means which upon movement of said frictional member with the drum will lock the second named clutch member in frictional engagement With said drum, said loosely mounted collar having a cam surface for engagement With the said means Which is carried by the friction member.

9. Land leveling and grading apparatus comprising a frame, an axle rotatable on the frame, Wheels supporting said axle and rotatable freely thereon,y a scoop associated with the axle and the frame, means for locking the Wheels to and causing rotation of the axle, means which when the axle rotates will move the scoop into scooping, load conveying and load dumping positions and means for controlling the operation of the last named mean l0. Land leveling and grading apparatus comprising a frame, an axle `rotatable on the frame, wheels supporting said axle and rotatable freely thereon, a scoop associated with the axle and the frame, means for locking the wheels to and causing rotation of the axle, means which when the axle rotates will move the scoop into scooping, load conveying and load dumping positions, means for controlling the operation of the last named means, draw bars connected with the forwardv portion of the scoop, a slide member on the frame forwardly of the scoop to which said draw bars are connected and means which when the scoop is lowered into scooping position will lock said sliding member against movement and which when the scoop is raised from scooping position will release said sliding member.

l1. Land leveling and grading apparatus comprising' a frame, wheels supporting the frame, an axle upon which the wheels are rotatable, a scoop mounted for movement relative to and with the axle, means including clutch mechanisms for locking the wheels to and causing rotation of the axle for moving the scoop into scooping, load conveying and load dumping positions, draw bars connected with the scoop, a slide member on the frame forward of the scoop and to which said draw bars are connected and means automatically locking the slide member against movement when the scoop is moved into scooping position and automatically releasing said slide member when the scoop is moved out of scooping position.

l2. Land leveling` and grading apparatus comprising a frame, an axle rotatable on the frame, wheels supporting said axle and freely rotatable thereon, clutch means for locking said wheels to the axle and causing rotation of the axle upon turning' the wheels, a scoop member, a rack bar carried by the scoop member extending upwardly therefrom, a pinion fixed to the axle and engaging' with said rack bar, means ar? ranged to permit movement of the rack bar relative to the pinion when the scoop is in elevated position clear of the ground and unloaded, which means automatically, after movement of the scoop when loaded into position free of the ground, willl look the rack bar against movement relative to and cause it to move with said pinion upon rotation of the axle whereby t-he scoop will be tilted out of a load supporting position.

13. Land leveling and grading apparatus comprising a frame, wheels supporting the frame, an axle rotatable in the frame and` upon which the wheels are loosely mounted,

clutch mechanisms for locking the. wheels to and causing' rotation'of the axle, means for operating the clutch means, a scoop and vare operated to cause rotation of the axle as the wheels are continuously moved.

111. Land leveling and grading apparatus comprisingl a frame, wheels supporting the frame, a revolvable member on the frame,

, clutch means associated with the wheels and revolvable member forV causing rotation of the revolvable member, a scoop mounted for movement relative to and with the frame and means associated with the scoop and revolvable member for positively moving the scoopinto scooping position on actua tion of the clutchmeans and the subsequent rotation of the revolvable member, which means provides for regulating the extent of movement of the scoop into scooping posi` tion by actuation of the'clutch means.

l5.y Land leveling and grading apparatus comprising a frame, wheels supporting the frame, a revolvable member on the frame, clutch means associated with the wheels and revolvable member for causing rotation of the .revolvable member, 'a scoop mounted for movement relative to `and with the. frame, means associated with the scoop and revolv able member for positively moving the vscoop into scooping position on actuation of the clutch means and the subsequent rotation of the revolvable member, which means provides for regulating the extent of movement of the scoop into scooping position by actuation of the clutch means and spring means resisting movement of the scoop into scooping position and acting automatically upon declutching of the clutch means following a scooping operation, to lift the loaded scoop into load conveying position. Y

16. A land leveling and grading appa ratus comprising a frame, wheels supporting the frame, a revolvable member on the; frame, clutch means associated with the reH volvable member and wheels, which when in operativeposition will cause said revolvable member to rotate, a scoop operatively associated with the frame and means associated with the revolvable member and scoop for forcing the scoop into scooping position when the clutch means is actuated and said revolvable member is caused tor revolve. l

17. A` land leveling and grading appa'- ratus comprising a `frame,rwheels supporting the frame, a revolvable member on the frame, clutch means associated with the -revolvable member and wheels, which when in operative position will cause said revolvable member to rotate, a scoop operative] y associated with the trame, means associatedV with the revolvable member and sooop Jfor p forcing the yscoop into yscooping position when the clutch lmeans is actuated and said revolvable member is caused to revolve and means which when the scoop mechanism is deolutolied following a scooping operation Will automatically lift the loaded scoop into load conveying position.

418. Land leveling and grading apparatus comprising a frame7 Wheels supporting the frame, a revolvable member on the frame, clutch means associated With the Wheels and said member for `causing rotation of said n'ien'iber on rotation of said Wheels, and scoop mounted on the 'trame so as to be movable into and out of snooping position.

19. Land leveling` and grading apparatusV lifts the loaded scoop into load conveying posit-ion.

JuLiUs n. PATTERSON. ,FELIX a, DUNN. 

